Impact of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis supplementation on reproductive and productive qualities of sows.

Abstract

In modern livestock management, biotechnological products, including feed additives, are widely utilized to enhance productivity. One such agent is probiotics, which have been employed for a long time in both human food and livestock. Their effects are based on various biological mechanism–including the reduction of intestinal acidity, inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms, and stimulation of the immune response. Unlike antibiotics, which are prohibited in animal feed, probiotic supplements are regarded as safe alternatives for maintaining animal health and prophylaxis disease. In particular, in the diets of sows, probiotics contribute to the improvement of overall physiological condition and stimulate the development of beneficial intestinal microflora. Consequently, there has been increasing interest in studying effective probiotic bacteria and developing advanced biotechnological preparations. Among promising candidates are probiotics based on Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, which have been evaluated in various animal species for their potential beneficial effects on host physiology. The use of such probiotic feed additives has demonstrated favorable effects in sows across different ages and physiological stages. The administration of this probiotic for both young and adult animals during periods of preparation for fertilization, as well as before and after farrowing, positively affected their reproductive function. Improvements were observed in indicators such as sexual reflex expression, fertilization rates, litter size, and the number of live births. Additionally, significant enhancements in growth, weight gain, and the survival of piglets up to two months of age were recorded. The optimal doses of probiotic use were determined to be 1.0% of the daily ration for young sows and 1.5% for adults. Therefore, the results of this study substantiate the inclusion of a probiotic supplement combining these two bacteria in the diets of sows to enhance their productivity and the quality of their offspring.